U.S. patent application number 15/745318 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-10 for collapsible chassis for strollers, baby carriages and the like.
This patent application is currently assigned to L'INGLESINA BABY S.P.A.. The applicant listed for this patent is L'INGLESINA BABY S.P.A.. Invention is credited to Roberto GORZA, Ivan TOMASI.
Application Number | 20190009810 15/745318 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54477076 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-10 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190009810 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GORZA; Roberto ; et
al. |
January 10, 2019 |
COLLAPSIBLE CHASSIS FOR STROLLERS, BABY CARRIAGES AND THE LIKE
Abstract
A collapsible chassis for strollers includes a base frame
supporting at least one front post and at least one rear post with
wheel assemblies. The base frame further support at least one
handle tube. An actuation element is supported by the base frame
and is actuated by the user to move the chassis from the open
condition to the closed condition. The actuation element is movable
with respect to both the handle tube and the movable post and is
connected by way of a first kinematic connection element to the
movable post and by way of a second kinematic connection element to
the handle tube. Actuating the actuation element causes the
rotation of the movable post and handle tube. A third kinematic
connection element is provided which includes an articulation
element adapted to cause a motion of mutual approach in a
transverse direction of the two rear posts.
Inventors: |
GORZA; Roberto; (Pedavena,
IT) ; TOMASI; Ivan; (Creazzo, IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
L'INGLESINA BABY S.P.A. |
Altavilla Vicentina |
|
IT |
|
|
Assignee: |
L'INGLESINA BABY S.P.A.
Altavilla Vicentina
IT
|
Family ID: |
54477076 |
Appl. No.: |
15/745318 |
Filed: |
July 12, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
July 12, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2016/066553 |
371 Date: |
January 16, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62B 7/086 20130101;
B62B 7/062 20130101; B62B 2205/02 20130101; B62B 7/064 20130101;
B62B 2205/18 20130101; B62B 2205/003 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B62B 7/06 20060101
B62B007/06; B62B 7/08 20060101 B62B007/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 15, 2015 |
IT |
102015000034297 |
Claims
1-12. (canceled)
13. A collapsible chassis comprising a base frame that supports at
least one front post and at least one rear post, connected in a
lower region to respective wheel assemblies, at least one disposed
between said at least one front post and said at least one rear
post being movable with a rotary motion with respect to said base
frame about an articulation axis that is substantially transverse
to the direction of longitudinal extension of said chassis during
transition of said chassis from an extended open condition to a
collapsed closed condition and during transition of said chassis
from the collapsed closed condition to the extended open condition,
said base frame supporting further at least one handle tube, which
defines grip means and moves with a rotary motion with respect to
said lower frame about a pivoting axis that is substantially
transverse to the direction of longitudinal extension of said
chassis during transition of said chassis from the extended open
condition to the collapsed closed condition and transition of said
chassis from the collapsed closed condition to the extended open
condition, and further comprising an actuation element that is
supported by said base frame and is actuated by the user to move
said chassis from said open condition to said closed condition,
said actuation element being movable with respect to said handle
tube and with respect to said at least one of said front and rear
post that is movable being connected by way of first kinematic
connection means to said at least one post that is movable with
respect to said base frame about said articulation axis and, by way
of second kinematic connection means, to said handle tube, the
actuation of said actuation element causing the rotation, with
respect to said base frame, of said at least one movable post about
said articulation axis and of said handle tube about said pivoting
axis, said chassis comprising two rear posts that move, with
respect to said base frame, about a respective folding axis that is
substantially parallel to the central plane of said chassis and
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the
respective rear post, third kinematic connection means being
provided for connection between said actuation element and said two
rear posts, said third kinematic connection means comprising
articulation means adapted to cause, during transition of said
chassis from said extended open condition to said collapsed closed
condition, a motion of mutual approach in a transverse direction of
said two rear posts by means of a rotation about the respective
folding axis.
14. The chassis according to claim 13, wherein said first kinematic
connection means are different from said second kinematic
connection means.
15. The chassis according to claim 13, wherein said first kinematic
connection means and said second kinematic connection means connect
directly, respectively, said actuation element and said at least
one front post and said actuation element and said at least one
rear post.
16. The chassis according to claim 13, wherein said third kinematic
connection means directly connect said actuation element to said
rear posts.
17. The chassis according to claim 13, wherein said movable post
comprises said at least one front post.
18. The chassis according to claim 13, wherein the wheel assembly
associated with said at least one front post rotates, with respect
to the respective front post, about a retraction axis that is
transverse with respect to the direction of longitudinal extension
of said chassis, retraction means being provided which act between
said base frame and said front wheel assembly and are adapted to
cause the rotation of said front wheel assembly with respect to the
respective front post about said retraction axis during transition
of said chassis from said extended open condition to said collapsed
closed condition and during transition of said chassis from said
collapsed closed condition to said extended open condition.
19. The chassis according to claim 13, wherein said actuation
element moves, with respect to said base frame, along a movement
path.
20. The chassis according to claim 13, further comprising a control
element that is functionally associated with said actuation
element.
21. The chassis according to claim 20, wherein said control element
comprises a lifting handle, the lifting of said handle causing the
movement of said actuation element and the rotation, with respect
to said base frame, of said at least one movable post about said
articulation axis, of said handle tube about said pivoting axis and
of said rear posts about the respective folding axis.
22. The chassis according to claim 13, wherein said actuation
element comprises a slider element that moves, with respect to said
supporting frame, along a movement path and defines a first rack
and a second rack, said first kinematic connection means comprising
a first gear portion that meshes with said first rack, is integral
in rotation with said movable post and is extended around said
articulation axis, said second kinematic connection means
comprising a second gear portion that meshes with said second rack,
rotates integrally with said handle tube and is extended around
said pivoting axis.
23. The chassis according to claim 13, wherein said actuation
element comprises a control element which moves, with respect to
said supporting frame, along a movement path, said first kinematic
connection means comprising a first connecting linkage arranged
between said control element and said movable post and said second
kinematic connection means comprising a second connecting linkage
arranged between said control element and said handle tube.
24. The chassis according to claim 13, wherein said actuation
element is connected kinematically, by way of said first kinematic
connection means, to said at least one movable post connected, by
way of said second kinematic connection means, to said handle tube,
or in that said actuation element is connected kinematically, by
way of said second kinematic connection means, to said at least one
handle tube, which is connected, by way of said first kinematic
connection means, to said movable post.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a collapsible chassis for
strollers, baby carriages and the like.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Collapsible chassis for strollers or baby carriages are
known which are substantially constituted by a lower frame, which
comprises one or two front posts and one or two rear posts, which
support in a downward region respective wheel assemblies, and by at
least one upper post, known in the jargon as handle tube, which
ends in an upward region with the handle or handgrip of the chassis
and can move, with respect to the lower frame, with a rotary motion
about a pivoting axis, in order to allow the execution of the
closure or compaction of the chassis.
[0003] During the transition of the chassis from the extended
condition to the collapsed condition, the front post also is
rotated about an articulation axis that is parallel to the pivoting
axis of the upper post in order to move angularly the upper post
toward the rear post, so as to compact the chassis in a
longitudinal direction.
[0004] This constructive solution allows, during the closure of the
chassis, to move the front posts to an angularly closer position
with respect to the respective rear posts, while the handle tube,
by way of a rotary motion, is arranged, in the closed condition,
substantially parallel to the rear posts.
[0005] Some of the known solutions provide, for this type of
chassis, that the transition from the extended condition to the
collapsed condition occurs by rotating the upper post (or handle
tube) about the articulation axis and by connecting directly, by
way of kinematic connection means, the upper post to the front post
so that the rotation of the upper post about its own pivoting axis
causes the rotation of the front post with respect to its own
articulation axis. Other solutions instead provide for control
means, supported by the lower frame and connected kinematically to
the front post in order to rotate it with respect to said lower
frame.
[0006] In this specific case there are also kinematic connection
means between the front post and the handle tube such as to
determine, as a consequence of the rotation of the rear post, a
consequent rotation of the handle tube.
[0007] In all the known solutions that provide for simultaneous
movement, during the closing and opening steps, of the front post
and of the handle tube there are kinematic connection means that
directly connect the front post and the handle tube and are
constituted typically by gears, interconnection linkages or
equivalent means such as cables or traction elements.
[0008] Known solutions, though being widely used, suffer
drawbacks.
[0009] First of all, in many cases the operations for closing and
opening the chassis are scarcely practical and have criticalities
in operation.
[0010] Furthermore, it is not always easy to manage rotation angles
of a different breadth of the handle tube and of the front
post.
[0011] Finally, sometimes it is difficult to actuate the closure of
the chassis by means of lifting handles, it being necessary to
provide devices that act by pushing or pulling directly on the
posts.
SUMMARY
[0012] The aim of the present disclosure is indeed to solve the
problems described above, by providing a chassis particularly for
strollers, baby carriages and the like that has an extremely
simplified structure with respect to currently known solutions,
devising a chassis that is particularly practical and
ergonomic.
[0013] The disclosure provides a collapsible chassis that is easy
to use and offers the greatest assurances of reliability and safety
in operation.
[0014] The present disclosure provides a collapsible chassis that
can be obtained with low production costs.
[0015] These advantages and features that will become better
apparent hereinafter, are achieved by providing a collapsible
chassis comprising a base frame that supports at least one front
post and at least one rear post, connected in a lower region to
respective wheel assemblies, at least one between said at least one
front post and said at least one rear post being movable with a
rotary motion with respect to said base frame about an articulation
axis that is substantially transverse to the direction of
longitudinal extension of said chassis during the transition of
said chassis from an extended open condition to a collapsed closed
condition and vice versa, said base frame supporting further at
least one handle tube, which defines grip means and can move with a
rotary motion with respect to said lower frame about a pivoting
axis that is substantially transverse to the direction of
longitudinal extension of said chassis during the transition of
said chassis from the extended open condition to the collapsed
closed condition and vice versa, and further comprising an
actuation element that is supported by said base frame and can be
actuated by the user to move said chassis from said open condition
to said closed condition, said actuation element being movable with
respect to said handle tube and with respect to said at least one
of said front and rear post that is movable being connected by way
of first kinematic connection means to said at least one post that
is movable with respect to said base frame about said articulation
axis and, by way of second kinematic connection means, to said
handle tube, the actuation of said actuation element causing the
rotation, with respect to said base frame, of said at least one
movable post about said articulation axis and of said handle tube
about said pivoting axis, said chassis comprising two rear posts
that can move, with respect to said base frame, about a respective
folding axis that is substantially parallel to the central plane of
said chassis and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction of the respective rear post, third kinematic connection
means being provided for connection between said actuation element
and said two rear posts, said third kinematic connection means
comprising articulation means adapted to cause, during the
transition of said chassis from said extended open condition to
said collapsed closed condition, a motion of mutual approach in a
transverse direction of said two rear posts by means of a rotation
about the respective folding axis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Further characteristics and advantages will become better
apparent from the description of some preferred but not exclusive
embodiments of the collapsible chassis according to the disclosure,
illustrated by way of nonlimiting example with the aid of the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chassis in the extended
condition, according to the disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the chassis in the extended
condition along a substantially longitudinal plane;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a top view of the chassis in the extended
condition;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, with the
chassis in a condition that is intermediate between the extended
condition and the collapsed condition;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a sectional view, similar to that of FIGS. 2 and
4, with the chassis in the collapsed condition;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a top view of the chassis in a condition that is
intermediate between the extended condition and the collapsed
condition;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a top view of the chassis in the collapsed
condition;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a rear view of the chassis in the extended
condition;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a rear view of the chassis in a condition that is
intermediate between the extended condition and the collapsed
condition;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the chassis in the collapsed
condition;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a sectional view, taken along a transverse plane,
of a portion of the chassis;
[0028] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the chassis;
[0029] FIG. 13 is a view of a chassis associated with a device for
accommodating a child; and
[0030] FIG. 14 is a view of a possible constructive variation of
the control element associated with the chassis according to the
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] In the exemplary embodiments that follow, individual
characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may
actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that
exist in other exemplary embodiments.
[0032] The present disclosure relates to a collapsible chassis,
generally designated by the reference numeral 1, for strollers,
baby carriages or the like.
[0033] The chassis 1 comprises a base frame 2, which supports at
least one front post 2a and at least one rear post 2b, which are
connected in a downward region to respective wheel assemblies 3a,
3b.
[0034] At least one between the at least one front post 2a and the
at least one rear post 2b can move with a rotary motion with
respect to the base frame 2 about an articulation axis 101 that is
substantially transverse to the direction of longitudinal extension
100 of the chassis 1 during the transition of the chassis 1 from an
extended open condition to a collapsed closed condition and vice
versa.
[0035] The base frame 2 further supports at least one handle tube
4.
[0036] The handle tube 4 defines grip means 4a and can move with a
rotary motion with respect to the lower frame 2 about a pivoting
axis 102 during the transition of the chassis 1 from the open
extended condition to the collapsed closed condition and vice
versa.
[0037] The pivoting axis 102 also is substantially transverse to
the direction of longitudinal extension 100 of the chassis 1.
[0038] The articulation axis 101 and the pivoting axis 102 can be
arranged so as to be mutually spaced, as shown in the figures;
however, nothing prevents these axes from coinciding.
[0039] Conveniently, the chassis 1 can be associated detachably
with a containment receptacle 60 for a child.
[0040] Nothing prevents the chassis 1 from being detachably
associable with a seat-like structure for people who have walking
impairments or with a containment body for household pets.
[0041] According to the present disclosure, the chassis 1 comprises
an actuation element 20 that is supported by the base frame 2 and
can be actuated by the user to move the chassis 1 from the open
condition to the closed condition.
[0042] The actuation element 20 can move with respect to the handle
tube 4 and to the or each movable post.
[0043] The actuation element 20 is further connected, by way of
first kinematic connection means 30, to the post or posts that can
move with respect to the base frame 2 about the articulation axis
101 and, by way of second kinematic connection means 40, to the
handle tube 4.
[0044] The chassis 1 is provided with two rear posts 2b which can
move, with respect to the base frame 2, about a respective folding
axis 104a, 104b that is substantially parallel to the central plane
of the chassis 1 and substantially perpendicular to the direction
of extension of the respective rear post 2a.
[0045] The two rear posts 2b can be movable, with respect to the
base frame 2, about a same folding axis 104a.
[0046] In particular, the third kinematic connection means 50
comprise articulation means 6 which are adapted to determine,
during the transition of the chassis 1 from the extended open
condition to the collapsed closed condition, a motion of mutual
approach in the transverse direction of the two rear posts 2b.
[0047] With reference to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the
articulation means 6 comprise, for each rear post 2b, an actuation
linkage 6a, which connects the post 2b to the actuation element 20,
and a guiding linkage 6b, which connects the rear post 2b to the
base frame 2.
[0048] The actuation linkages 6a (which are moved by the actuation
element 20) in practice cause the rotation of each rear post 2b
about the respective folding axis 104a, 104b, while the guiding
linkages, which connect the base frame 2 to a support 32 of the
respective wheel assembly 3b, allows to orient correctly the rear
post 2b and the wheel assembly 3b in space and guide its
folding.
[0049] Conveniently, the rear post 2b also is connected rotatably
to the support 32 of the respective wheel assembly 3b about a
lateral retraction axis. Between each support 32 of the rear wheel
assembly 3b and the respective rear post 2b, proximate to the
lateral retraction axis, it is possible to interpose an elastic
thrust reversal device, such as for example a so-called trap spring
33, so as to facilitate the (outward) thrust of the rear wheel
assembly 3b in the condition in which the chassis 1 is extended and
at the same time facilitate the approach to the central plane of
the chassis 1 of the rear wheel assemblies 3b in the condition in
which the chassis 1 is collapsed.
[0050] Advantageously, the second kinematic connection means 40 are
different from the first kinematic connection means 30.
[0051] In practice, the first kinematic connection means 30
directly connect the actuation element 20 to the front post 2b and
the second kinematic connection means 40 directly connect the
actuation element 20 to the handle tube 4.
[0052] In particular, the actuation of the actuation element 20
causes the rotation, with respect to the base frame 2, of the at
least one movable post about the articulation axis 101 and of the
handle tube 4 about the pivoting axis 102.
[0053] Simultaneously, the actuation element 20 actuates, by way of
the third kinematic connection means 50, the folding of the rear
posts 2b about the folding axis 104a, 104b.
[0054] Preferably, the movable post comprises at least one front
post 2a.
[0055] Each front wheel assembly 3a can rotate with respect to the
respective front post 2a about a retraction axis 103 that is
transverse with respect to the direction of longitudinal extension
100 of the chassis 1.
[0056] Advantageously, there are retraction means 5 that act
between the base frame 2 and the front wheel assembly 3a and are
adapted to cause the rotation of the front wheel assembly 3a with
respect to the respective front post 2a about the retraction axis
103 during the transition of the chassis 1 from the extended open
condition to the collapsed closed condition and vice versa.
[0057] By way of example, the retraction means 5 comprise a
retraction linkage 5a that has a first end rotatably connected to
the base frame 2 and a second end rotatably connected to the front
wheel assembly 3 in a position that is spaced from the retraction
axis 103.
[0058] Between each front wheel assembly 3a and the respective
front post 2a, proximate to the retraction axis 103, it is possible
to interpose an elastic thrust reversal device, such as for example
a so-called trap spring, so as to facilitate the retraction of the
front wheel assembly 3a in the condition in which the chassis 1 is
collapsed and at the same time facilitate its spacing in the
longitudinal direction from the rear wheel assemblies 3b in the
condition in which the chassis 1 is extended.
[0059] Furthermore, the end part of the handgrip can be retracted
during the transition of the chassis 1 from the extended condition
toward the collapsed condition, so as to reduce its vertical space
occupation, so as to render the chassis more compact in the
collapsed condition.
[0060] Obviously, in case of transition of the chassis from the
collapsed condition to the extended condition, the end part of the
handle returns to a position that is spaced from the pivoting axis
102.
[0061] According to a practical embodiment, the actuation element
20 can move, with respect to the base frame 2, along a movement
path.
[0062] As shown in the figures, the movement path can be
rectilinear; however, nothing prevents such movement path from
being curvilinear or shaped like a circular arc.
[0063] Preferably, the chassis 1 comprises a control element 21
that is functionally associated with the actuation element 20.
[0064] By way of example, the control element 21 comprises a
lifting handle. In this case, the action of the user on the handle
21 causes a first rotation of the handle about a rotary connection
region that is defined on the actuation element and then, as a
consequence of a lifting action, the movement along the movement
path of the actuation element 20 and consequently the movement,
rotation, with respect to the base frame 2, of the movable post (in
the specific case of the front post 2a) about the articulation axis
101 and of the handle tube 4 about the pivoting axis 102.
[0065] With reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, the
actuation element 20 comprises a slider element that can move, with
respect to the supporting frame 2, along a movement path and
defines a first rack 22a and a second rack 22b.
[0066] In this case, the first kinematic connection means 30
comprise a first gear portion 23a that meshes with the first rack
22a, rotates integrally with the movable post and is extended
around the articulation axis 101.
[0067] Likewise, the second kinematic connection means 4a comprise
a second gear portion 23b that meshes with the second rack 22b,
rotates integrally with the handle tube 4 and is extended around
the pivoting axis 102.
[0068] As an alternative, the actuation element 20 can comprise a
control element that can move, with respect to the base frame 2,
along a movement path.
[0069] The first kinematic connection means 30 can comprise a first
connecting linkage between the control element and the movable
post, while the second kinematic connection means 40 can comprise a
second connecting linkage between the control element and the
handle tube.
[0070] In this manner it is possible, by choosing appropriately the
length of the first and second connecting linkages and the pivoting
points, to differentiate the angular movements of the movable post
and of the handle tube respectively about the articulation axis and
the pivoting axis.
[0071] Obviously, nothing forbids using a connecting linkage to
provide the first kinematic connection means 30 and a rack-gear
coupling to provide the second kinematic connection means 40 or
vice versa.
[0072] Preferably, the control element 21 comprises a collapsible
handle that is supported rotatably by the actuation element 20.
[0073] Retention devices act between the actuation element 20 and
the base frame 2 and are adapted to block the movement of the
actuation element 20 at the stroke limit position.
[0074] Preferably, the first kinematic connection means 30 and the
second kinematic connection means 40 are constituted by rigid
interconnection elements that are adapted to actuate the movement
of the movable post and of the handle tube 4 both during transition
from the extended condition toward the collapsed condition and vice
versa.
[0075] Conveniently, the third kinematic connection means 50 also
are adapted to actuate the movement of the movable post and of the
handle tube 4 both during transition from the extended condition
toward the collapsed condition and vice versa.
[0076] If one decides to use, in order to provide part of the first
or second or third kinematic connection means with flexible
elements, such as for example cables, it is appropriate to
associate additional elements capable of ensuring, during the
transition of the chassis 1 from the collapsed condition toward the
extended condition, the rotation of the movable post, of the handle
tube 4 and the mutual spacing in a transverse direction of the rear
posts 2b.
[0077] With reference to the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the
actuation element 20 can actuate, for example by means of a cable
23 (which constitutes the first kinematic connection means 30), a
strut or a tension element, the rotary motion of the front post 2a,
which by way of second kinematic connection means 40, constituted
for example by a linkage for the transfer of the rotation 24,
actuates the rotary motion of the handle tube 4.
[0078] Obviously, the actuation element 20 is connected
kinematically also to the rear posts 2b in order to cause, during
the transition of the chassis 1 from the extended open condition to
the collapsed closed condition, a mutual approach motion in a
transverse direction of the two rear posts 2b.
[0079] As an alternative, the actuation element 20 can be connected
by way of the second kinematic connection means 40 to the handle
tube 4, which in turn is connected kinematically to the movable
post.
[0080] Use of a collapsible chassis 1 according to the disclosure
is evident from what has been described above.
[0081] In practice it has been found that the chassis according to
the disclosure achieves the intended aim and objects thereof.
[0082] All the characteristics of the disclosure, indicated above
as advantageous, convenient or the like, may also be omitted or
replaced with equivalents.
[0083] The individual characteristics presented with reference to
general teachings or particular embodiments may all be present in
other embodiments or may replace characteristics in these
embodiments.
[0084] The disclosure thus conceived is susceptible of numerous
modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of
the appended claims.
[0085] All the details may further be replaced with other
technically equivalent elements.
[0086] In practice, the materials used, so long as they are
compatible with the specific use, as well as the contingent shapes
and dimensions, may be any according to requirements.
[0087] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No.
102015000034297 (UB2015A002212) from which this application claims
priority are incorporated herein by reference.
* * * * *